Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he was committed to a better Nigeria because his faith does not allow him to deal carelessly with matters that concern the poor and those who look up to political office holders for solution to their problems.

Osinbajo said those seeking to occupy public offices should understand that such a quest requires serious commitment because many lives and livelihoods could be impacted by their actions or inactions.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Laolu Akande, the Vice President said this when he received a delegation of Southern Kaduna leaders (political, traditional, and religious) from Kachia and Kagarko Local Government Areas at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

“Our commitment to this country is a serious commitment and some of it (for me and I am sure for Hon Gabriel) come from the fact of our faith. Our faith, like other faiths, does not allow us to deal carelessly with matters that concern the poor, those who do not have, and those who look up to us with expectation for solution to their problems.

“We cannot disappoint them, that is why we are so committed to making sure that our country is a different country,” Osinbajo stated.

Speaking further about the motivation for public service, the Vice President lamented that there were those who were in it for pecuniary gains saying: “For some, public office is about lining their pockets, it is about becoming richer than everybody, it is about buying new cars, buying planes…

“But at the end of the day, no matter what we do, we still have to account to God for everything that we do. Even if they don’t account to our people, we will all account to God ultimately.

“What God expects of all of us is to ensure that the mandate that is given to us is used well, the trust that is reposed in us by so many people is the expectation that their lives and livelihoods will improve by our being in office. For all those people, we must account to God.

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“Which is why in any political positions that we have found ourselves, whether it is the VP, House of Representatives member, chairman of LGA, traditional ruler, whatever we are doing, we have a responsibility, even if it is not to man, we have a responsibility to God.

“That is why aspiration, running for office and all of that, is a very serious responsibility. And I hope and pray that our candidates here will succeed,” Osinbajo said.

In his remarks, a member representing Kachia/Kagarko Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Gabriel Zock, applauded the commitment and vision of the Vice President for a better Nigeria, saying: “I have worked with you closely, I know the vision and dream that you have for Nigeria.”

The federal lawmaker further thanked Osinbajo for his selfless service to the country, expressing hope that “one day you will become the President of Nigeria”.

On his part, a member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Nuhu Goroh, praised Osinbajo’s loyalty and support to President Muhammadu Buhari saying: “Our visit is in solidarity to our leader who has given his best to our country and is loyal to the President.”

Goroh commended Osinbajo’s efforts in uniting Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides, describing him as “a man that worked for our stability, a man that worked for our unity. A father that has worked for our care, and to ensure that those who have been displaced from their homes have support and succour.”

Speaking about the purpose of their visit, Goroh said: “We are here to thank you. You have visited Southern Kaduna more than any VP in the history of this country, it is on record, and that is why we are here to say thank you on behalf of our people.

“We are here for a prayer to a father, who is also a pastor; to say Daddy, we are praying that your end shall be greater than your past. We pray that Nigeria reaps the best of all that you have done for this country.

“I also pray that one day, our dream of seeing you become the President of this great country, shall come to pass.”

The Star